Once again Ahmad Bradshaw proved that he is the best running back on the Giants in all facets of the game. It was surprising that Zackary Bowman caught up to Bradshaw to strip the ball as Bradshaw usually has enough breakaway speed to take it to the house on such a play.

Still, Bradshaw displayed great power running throughout the game.

As always, Bradshaw was effective through the passing attack as well, catching two balls for 14 yards. Bradshaw’s receiving skills are vital to the Giants offensive game plan as his threat benefits Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham.

Bradshaw made the waning offensive line look the best they have all season. Bradshaw was hitting holes quickly but more importantly, finished his runs with authority. he was effective rushing to the left, right, and up the middle frequently making people miss at the line of scrimmage, and in the secondary on his way to 129 yards rushing.

Bradshaw was able to punch it in from the three-yard line in the third quarter. Bradshaw last night, just like the past year, was as effective as Brandon Jacobs at the goal line.

The Giants recommitted to the run against the Bears and despite the turnovers, finally played winning football. The Giants need to commit to Bradshaw early and often in games to establish the tempo of the game.

Bradshaw is pound for pound one of the strongest backs in the league while carrying the rock. The Giants will only go as far as Bradshaw can take them. He is the catalyst.

The Bad

This may have been Brandon Jacobs’ best game in a year.

He rushed six times for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Still, it was not good enough for me.

Although Jacobs broke two runs over 20 yards, Jacobs is still lacking the power he once displayed on a week to week basis.

He still isn’t as effective as Bradshaw at the goal line, which is where he should excel. His two yard touchdown was gift wrapped by the offensive line. Bradshaw carried three defenders into the end zone and it is difficult to believe that Jacobs would have done the same.

Jacobs has been bothered since the Monday night game against the Jets in the preseason.

He has been putting on an act of being fired up but his play does not reflect that same intensity. Jacobs is becoming a side show on the Giants side lines and it is getting pathetic. He fumbled again and his ball security is still an issue in his sixth season.

Jacobs is still proving that he didn’t deserve the contract the Giants gave him. He needs to quickly go back to playing the smash mouth football that helped the Giants win a Super Bowl.

Until we see the old Brandon Jacobs and he learns to control himself—he will usually end up on the ‘bad’ side for the New York Giants.

The Ugly

The quarterback play all around from Eli Manning, Jay Cutler, and Todd Collins was awful.

From the opening drive Manning was off his game. He threw a terrible pass to an open Steve Smith deep in the secondary. If the throw was on target and not underthrown to the wrong shoulder, Smith could have potentially turned it in to a touchdown.

Although both offensive lines are shells of their former selves, neither quarterback appeared comfortable behind the line of scrimmage. They held the ball and were constantly hit and hurried throughout the game. Jay Cutler left the game with a concussion, and was getting drilled by the Giants lineman the entire first half.

The Giants secondary played their best game of the season, but were aided by the ineffectiveness of Cutler and Collins. Cutler completed eight of 11 attempted passes but for just 42 yards as he could not find anyone deep or in the middle of the field.

Collins’ interception looked as if he was throwing it to Deon Grant. If Cutler is forced to miss Week 5, the Bears could be in trouble against the Panthers with Todd Collins or Caleb Hanie behind center.

Manning once again failed to throw a touchdown. Nicks made a great catch on a weak throw in the fourth quarter to set up the Brandon Jacobs touchdown. The Giants rely on the run, but need Manning to play more effectively if they want to compete for a championship.